A Message from Brian Bond

While the full results of the midterm elections remain uncertain, we can celebrate the important milestones and victories for LGBTQ+ people across the country so far, while also recognizing that not all the outcomes are good for our families. But regardless of the final results, PFLAG National will continue to urge our lawmakers to pass laws that protect the civil rights of our LGBTQ+ loved ones. Read the full statement from PFLAG Executive Director Brian Bond.

Court Matters

The Supreme Court hears oral arguments in two affirmative action cases. The justices heard arguments in cases stemming from Harvard and the University of North Carolina’s admissions policies, which consider race among many other factors in applications. The plaintiffs in the Harvard case argued that the university’s admissions policies unfairly disadvantage Asian American applicants.

Miss USA pageant can exclude transgender contestants, appeals court rules. Anita Green, a trans woman, sued United States of America Pageants organization for violating the Oregon’s anti-discrimination laws after she was barred from competing in the Miss Oregon pageant. The appeals court ruled that the pageant had a First Amendment right to exclude Ms. Green.

Federal Matters

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband beaten by assailant in family home. Paul Pelosi was attacked over the head with a hammer in their San Francisco home. Mr. Pelosi suffered a skull fracture that required extensive surgery to repair the injuries. The assailant, David DePape, was charged with attempting to kidnap the House Speaker and assaulting a relative of a federal official. Our wishes for quick healing and health go to Mr. Pelosi and the entire family.

President Biden releases proclamation in honor of National Adoption Awareness Month. In the proclamation, the President stressed the need to end anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in adoptions and foster care. Contact your representatives and tell them to vote YES on the PFLAG-informed and -endorsed John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act to ensure fairness for LGBTQ+ children and prospective parents in adoption and foster care.

WNBA star Brittney Griner moved to Russian penal colony on Nov. 9th. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre issued a statement denouncing the continued wrongful detention and affirmed the Administration’s ongoing work for the immediate release of Griner and Paul Whelan and fair treatment for every detained American. U.S. Embassy officials in Moscow met with Griner on Nov. 3rd.

State Matters

Colorado - Gov. Jared Polis wins re-election. Gov. Polis became the first openly gay man to be elected governor of a US state in 2018 and decisively won a second term on Election Night.

Florida - Parents, teachers refile lawsuit over ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law. In a second attempt, plaintiffs have introduced a lawsuit challenging the educational barriers of the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The revised lawsuit argues that the law violates Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally-funded educational institutes.

Kansas - Johnson County school board bans trans students from preferred bathrooms, sports teams. The Gardner Edgerton school board voted 5-2 to approve the policies, which bar trans students from using facilities or joining sports teams which conform with their gender identity. The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas argued the policy violates federal law and isolates and harms trans students.

Maryland - Democrat Wes Moore historically elected governor. He will be the state’s first Black governor and third Black person ever elected to serve as governor of any state in the nation. 

Massachusetts - AG Maura Healey makes history as one of first two out lesbians elected governor. She is the Commonwealth’s first woman and first openly gay person to be elected governor of Massachusetts. Healy and Tina Kotek of Oregon are also the first openly lesbian governors to be elected in the country.

Montana - Montana voters elect first transgender state legislator. Zooey Zephyr will be Montana's first openly trans state representative.

New Hampshire - First out trans man elected to a U.S. state legislature. James Roesener is the first openly trans man in the nation elected to a state legislature.

Oregon - Tina Kotek becomes one of two first out lesbians elected governor of a US State. Kotek and Massachusetts AG Maura Healy, both elected on November 8th in their respective states, share the title of first out lesbians to be elected governor.

Vermont - Becca Balint becomes state’s first woman elected to Congress. She is the first openly gay person and the first woman in the history of the state to be elected to the U.S House of Representatives. Only Vermont has never sent a woman to Congress prior to the 2022 elections.

Global Matters

Brazil - Lula da Silva will return to Brazil’s presidency. Over 60 million votes were cast for Lula da Silva, who will take office on January 1st, 2023, after a tight race against incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro. 

First openly gay governor wins re-election. Gov. Eduardo Leite, governor of Rio Grande do Sul, won re-election. He is the first openly gay person to serve as the governor of a Brazilian state. 

Ghana - Anti-LGBTQ+ bill expected to pass before presidential election. Speaker of the Parliament Alban Bagbin revealed the government is pushing for a bill prohibiting same-sex marriage, public display of affection by the same sex, and gender-affirming care. The Parliament Speaker was adamant that the bill would be passed before the next upcoming election.

Israel - Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu poised to return to office following elections. LGBTQ+ representation in Israeli parliament is likely to decrease and far right, anti-LGBTQ+ parties will have more seats. 

Japan - Tokyo begins awarding "partnership certificates" to LGBTQ+ couples. The partnership certification system will allow LGBTQ+ couples to receive public housing and benefit from public welfare programs. The city has already received hundreds of applications and certified 115 so far. Across the country, the partnership system has issued over 3,000 certificates to couples.

Media Matters

Patrick Haggerty dies at 78. The singer is known for being one of the first openly gay country singers and advocate for social justice. Haggerty was outspoken in his non-traditional country album, “Lavender Country,” which inspired a new wave of the country music genre. 

Miss Puerto Rico and Miss Argentina reveal they secretly got married. Fabiola Valentín and Mariana Varela posted a photo on Instagram celebrating and announcing their marriage in Puerto Rico. The newlyweds publicized their relationship after keeping it private for 2 years.

PFLAG National is always here to support you with your work, so please don't ever hesitate to reach out to us for assistance.

Yours in PFLAG power,

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